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University Prepares to Strengthen Partnership with Special Olympics Barry University plans to expand and strengthen its partnership with Special Olympics Florida. The expanded partnership will support the organization’s long-term goals and provide opportunities for interdisciplinary work among students and faculty at Barry.
University administrators met recently with representatives of Special Olympics Florida for a preliminary discussion focused on the proposed development of a five-year partnership plan. The plan will include support for the organization’s Healthy Communities program.
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities. According to the organization, they are offered “continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”
The organization serves more than 26,000 athletes. They are trained by 1,700 volunteer coaches and receive statewide support from approximately 17,000 event volunteers.
Special Olympics International created Healthy Communities in response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s call to action on the healthcare disparities affecting people with an intellectual or developmental disability.
Representatives of Special Olympics Florida attending the meeting at Barry were Nancy Sawyer, senior vice president for Healthy Communities and athlete leadership; Karlyn Emile, site director for South Florida Healthy Community; and Linsey Harris Smith, director of field services and foundation relations for Miami-Dade County.
Barry representatives were Dr. Darlene Kluka, dean of the School of Human Performance and Leisure Sciences (HPLS); Dr. Albert Armstrong, interim dean of the School of Podiatric Medicine; Dr. John McFadden, dean of the
Rosenwald and Williams were appointed to co-chair a committee charged with developing elements of the five-year plan. The committee will report to the leadership team for the Barry–Special Olympics Florida Partnership currently chaired by Dean Kluka.
Barry already has “a mutually beneficial partnership” with Special Olympics Florida, the CCSI has noted. Students taking courses in social work, theology, and documentary photography have done their service-learning projects with the organization, assisting with preparations for competitions and other events in
Earlier this year, middle- and high-school students enrolled in the College Reach-Out Program (CROP) volunteered together with their Barry mentors at the Miami-Dade Special Olympics Area Tennis Games. In addition, a graduate student in health services administration/public health completed her three-month internship with South Florida Healthy Community in
Special Olympics
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Campus Compact Reports Widespread Community Engagement
Integration of community engagement into the curriculum is widespread in Campus Compact member colleges and universities, the organization reported recently.
Ninety-one percent of the 434 institutions that responded to Campus Compact’s annual member survey offered service-learning courses. Campuses offered an average of 69 courses per campus in 2014, up slightly from 66 in 2012. In 2014, an average of 43 faculty members per campus taught service-learning courses, up slightly from 41 in 2012. Sixty-four percent required service-learning as part of the core curriculum in at least one major – up from 62 percent in 2012.
In a report titled “Three Decades of Institutionalizing Change,” Campus Compact also noted that institutions included community partners in engagement work and institutional life through a variety of mechanisms. Among the main mechanisms were discussions of concerns with administrators (68%), service on unit-specific (65%) or institution-wide community advisory boards (43%), and service on the Board of Trustees (63%).
“Community partners are engaged more specifically in institutional community engagement strategies as partners in curriculum development, delivery, and assessment,” the report said.
Campus Compact is a national association of 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purposes of higher education. The president of
Barry participates in Campus Compact’s annual survey. The CCSI submits the university’s responses.
Of the 434 institutions completing the most recent survey, nearly half are private, four-year institutions.
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Staff and Faculty Urged to Support Box Tops Drive
The Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) is urging staff and faculty members to support the Box Tops for
MAPS is collecting box tops – more specifically, the pink label with an orange pencil found on many grocery items – for donation to North Miami Elementary School. Labels may be sent to the CCSI, Adrian 208.
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Volunteer Opportunities Available to Staff and Faculty
Numerous opportunities for staff and faculty members to learn about community needs and to serve as volunteers are available this summer. Seven such opportunities are outlined below.
For additional information on how to get involved this summer, contact the CCSI at service@barry.edu or 305-899-3696.
Outstanding Orchids at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Thursday, July 16 ¦ 9:00 a.m.–Noon ¦3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129
Vizcaya
“Outstanding Orchids” volunteers will help to maintain Vizcaya’s orchid collection and prepare orchids for exhibition on the historic property. Tasks will include pulling weeds, repotting and moving items around the greenhouse, and ensuring that the greenhouse is in proper order.
Additional information is at the HandsOn Miami website. A volunteer registration webpage is available.
Miami Heat Learn & Thursday, July 16 ¦10:00 a.m.–Noon ¦1550
“Summer is here and this is your chance to give back to your community in a fun way!” the organizers of this initiative have announced. “This opportunity allows you to join the
The
For answers to questions, contact Heather Wilson at hwilson@chapmanpartnership.org.
Feeding South Florida’s Friday, July 17 ¦9:00 a.m.–Noon ¦ Opa-Locka, FL 33054
Feeding
For further information and to volunteer, contact Sibyl Brown, volunteer coordinator, at sbrown@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954-518-1838.
Miramar Saturday, July 18 ¦8:00–11:00 a.m. ¦3700 Largo Drive, Miramar, FL 33023
The 3,150-square-foot
Volunteers are needed for a monthly project at
For additional information and to volunteer, contact either Elsi Rose or Crystal Hayes at contactus@handsonbroward.org or 954-602-3518 or 954-233-1300.
Vizcaya Adventure at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Saturday, July 18 ¦9:00 a.m.–Noon ¦3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129
The Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is home to one of the few remaining native hardwood hammocks on
Volunteers will work alongside Vizcaya staff to remove invasive plants. At the same time, volunteers will be able to explore a side of Vizcaya to which most visitors do not have access.
“If you like traveling off the beaten path, this is your project!” the organizers say. “It’s a Vizcaya Adventure! And you’ll be making a significant impact too!”
Additional information is at the HandsOn Miami website. A volunteer registration webpage is available.
Christmas in July at Friday, July 24, 2015 ¦10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ¦2159 NW 1st Court, Miami, FL 33127; 2056 Scott Street, Hollywood, FL 33020; 1700 Blount Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33069
The Miami Rescue Mission and
Clothes, shoes, and hygiene items will be distributed at the event. Free haircuts will be provided as well.
The orientation for volunteers will take place on July 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m., at
To register as a volunteer, contact Lian Marcos, community development associate, at lmarcos@caringplace.org or 305-572-2004.
National Urban League Conference at Wednesday, July 29 ¦6:00 a.m.–Noon ¦1950
The Urban League of Broward is inviting volunteers to assist with arrangements for the National Urban League Conference. Volunteers are asked contribute a minimum of 4 hours and to attend the pre-conference orientation. Tasks for volunteers will range from stuffing bags and assisting with registration to greeting attendees and escorting them to their seats. Each volunteer will receive a polo shirt and other conference apparel, admission to some conference events, and access to the Volunteer Zone (food area).
To volunteer, contact Mark Reyes at mreyes@ulbcfl.org or 954-625-2598. To register, visit http://www.allforgood.org/user/login.
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Next Issue of Newsletter Scheduled for July 27
Engagement News is being published twice a month during the summer. The next issue of the newsletter is scheduled to appear on July 27 and the final summer issue on August 17. Regular weekly issues of Engagement News will then resume.
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CCSI Newsletter
Posted On : July 13, 2015
